PS 3523 
.E495 
06 
1919 
Copy 1 





OLD WISCONSE 



Arthur G. Leisman 



OLD WISCONSE 

and 

OTHER POEMS 




By Arthur G. Leisman 



<s^ 






I 

COPYRIGHT. 1919. BY ARTHUR G. LEISMAN 

MERRIUl. PUBLISHING CO. PU BL.ISH ERS. MERR11_1_. WIS. 



©CLAsasars 






UTiTt the Wisconsin State School for the 
I Deaf, through whose motherly devo- 
'"^ tion and guidance the paths of the 
world of silence have been lightened and 
glorified revealing fertile fields of endeavor 
to those who, like myself, have lost their 
hearing, this book is reverently dedicated. 



t ho onv l]tHvis n griednus forong 
(3lf tlyeg bo bltth ftiitl] sorrolii'g prang; 
"fife's tup oi jogs atrh snttles nnh song 
i\re ours to sl]ar^ to m^tkr us stroitg, 
J\ub thus oiu* iTouthful baos prolong. 



Old Wisconse 



river beautiful, the poet's dream, 

How dear the scenes along thy winding stream, 
How sweet the soothing music as I lie 
Beside thee, watching fleecy clouds go by. 

What heart of man can fail to stir with thrills 
When sunset rays enhance thy lofty hills, 
And singing birds their garp of silence don, 
While thou, river, toileth on and on? 

By thee the land with milk and honey flows. 
And o'er thy boulders soft the zephyr blows 
To fan the milkmaid in yon pastures green, 
Where lowing herds and roaming sheep are seen. 

1 marvel still to think thy course is fraught 
With tireless toil that scarce strips thee of aught. 
When to vast fields the golden grain it brings 
And to great mills the might of countless springs. 

The things that feed the hunger of the soul 
Are freely mine to share when oft I sti'oll 
Along thy vales and breathe of spices sweet — 
Nor care nor want to bind my buoyant feet. 

Flow on, O river fair, and when no more 
With thee I roam let me rest by thy shore, 
That I may answer in the Final Test 
I, too, in life have given of my best. 



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•••• V •' i • 



Trailing Cloud; 



Trailing clouds that come and go, 
Adrift to ports of showers, 

Ports that give life and with snow 
In winter shield the flowers. 

Fleecy white and silver-lined. 
Like peonies in blossom — 

Oh, how oft my heart has pined 
To rest me on thy bosom. 

Trailing clouds, what lovely scene 
When at eve, gray and sombre, 

Sunset rays lie all serene 
On fleecy folds of slumber. 

Trailing clouds, could I but fly 
With thee to distant nowheres. 

Gladly would I leave to lie 

In furrows deep my ploughshares. 

Trailing clouds, if far I flew 
The gayer worlds discerning. 

Shamed I'd feel to think how few 
The joys I have been earning. 



;:.: 



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•' •• • 






i««****«*«»***« 



*•••••••••«•••••*•••••••■ 






.. ♦, •••• 

••• • • ••• !• - - 



L 



ove 



Is it the flower so full of warmth 

By yonder wayside stream? 
Is it the scent of pine-clad hi] Is 

That filters through my dieam? 
Do birds on their light wing lure me 

Still higher to life's goals. 
And there to vanquish varying winds 

Of failure's threat'ning shoals? 
Perchance 'tis true, tut of these things 

I breathe a sweeter lay, 
If in that love I see but you, 

Dear heart, my Queen of May. 

For God is love, and nature's things 

Are gems sent fiom above 
To teach the world through them to love 

That which is due in love. 
And ever since the world began 

Lives have been sweetened still, 
Like full-blown roses, where the path 

With dewy love did fill. 
And though that love is old, old. 

It's ever new and young — 
New and fresh to the youth and lass, 

As though from sunrays wrung 
At dawn of day, and whose bright eyes 

With carefree laughter shine. 
Whose hearts are joined in woiidrous ties, 

And so with yours and mine. 



• • ••• • 

• • • . • 

•••••••••• * • .1 






The Alumni 



How dear to mem'ry's musing dream 

Still lingers that June day, 
When proudly from youth's silv'ry stream 

We steered adown the bay, 
With hoisted sails to morning's gleam 

Flung high in giand array. 

Ahead and stretching everywhere 

Oui waking eyes did see, 
Unveiled ghostlike to visions fair. 

The gray mist of life's sea; 
But clear or foul the long wayfare 

No keen mind could foiesee. 

Though parted our paths from the strand 
Of school days hallowed still, 

Refreshing scenes of yore shall stand. 
Our daily life to fill 

With promise that success at hand 
Is ours where there's a will. 

Oh, be it thus that Father Time 

Shall find our fleet in state 
Deep anchored in some fertile clime. 

And there perpetuate 
For each a credit to sublime 

Our class at Heaven's Gate. 



Keep Smiling 



If you desire a message true 

That shall make life worth while for you, 

Keep smiling. 
When on rough seas your course you ply, 
When for success your aim is high. 

Keep smiling. 

If things are not what they should be, 
If gloom o'er you sends harsh decree. 

Keep smiling. 
A grouch in misery has a berth 
Who does not drink of bubbling mirth; 

Keep smiling. 

Great wealth oft brings unhappiness. 
Be glad you have w^hat you possess — 

Keep smiling. 
Think of the birds and their wee nest, 
With simple life and songsters blest; 

Keep smiling. 

Spread smiles as on your way you go; 

You've but one path to tread, you know- 
Keep smiling. 

For in this lealm the life we live 

Is measured by the things we give — 
Keep smiling. 



;•.••.• •••• " V •••• '*'':: 

\ ••••• • • •...• .• 

• • • •* 

•• • -• • 



The En^a^ement Rin; 



The sky was blue, the birds were gay, 
And singing brooks through night and day 

Of care and want scarce knew. 
The flowers were fresh and full of bees; 
From bush and hill and orchard trees 

The winds their fragrance blew. 
Twas May, and beauty filled your eyes, 
When 3^outhf ul heart found heart and sighs 

Were breathed of love for you. 

Then summer came with month of brides 
When loving heart in tune abides 

With lark and swift and sky. 
The hills, the stars, the moon and streams 
All wrought for me bright rosy dreams, 

Unseen yet mused by eye 
That saw love worlds the stars among, 
And filled with life from heartstrings wrung 

Of sweeter vows spoke I. 

Soon came the time of falling leaves 
When o'er yon fields of golden sheaves 

Loud blew the winds of north. 
We met once more and saw with pain 
Red roses fall, but gay again. 

As rays through clouds shoot forth. 
Swift came the dreams of future's bliss, 
Wheie nothing fades from thrill of kiss 

Nor frost can sting love's worth. 



»•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 



. . • • • • *• » ••••. ' 

• • •• .*•« • .• • »• * , 

.»•* "•« . . •! • .* • • ••• 



Astride the winds now falls the snow; 
'Tis winter time, and bright the glow 

Of warmth around the hearth. 
Of you I dream the evening long, 
And gather gems to weave a song 

Of love that knows no dearth. 
Oh, storm and cold can leave no score 
On wings of love that skyward soar 

To grander worlds than earth. 

Though seasons come and seasons go, 
The stars that light the earth below 

Unchanged remain in sky; 
And since my love is love of star. 
No wane of time, no winter's bar 

'Twixt you and me can lie. 
It weaves its loom at eve of day. 
And still at work when dawn is gray, 

Of strength it grows — and why? 

Oh, words can't tell the reason why; 
For might of tongue and pen I sigh 

To speak the thoughts of heart. 
You are the Star of Life to me 
And hope of hopes you live to be. 

To guide me on, sweetheart. 
The sea is joined in wondrous blue 
Where dips the sky, and so from you 

My love can never part. 

Around the stars the ring of moon 
In golden hue unveils the boon 
That ardent wooings bring. 
With fonder dreams my heart aglow 



..... .—. ,••, 

•• -•••.• • ••• t». 'V 

• ••••" •••• 



I ••••••.•••• 



• ........■•••a •••■ ■•••••«•*••••••••••••••••••••••**. .•****. .*****• 

• • • • •••• • ••• V • • • • 



Unceasing* burns, till now I know 

'Tis time my boon to spring. 
Come then, my love, and snug in arms 
Accept from me the gift of charms — 
Love's sweet engagement ring*. 



am so Happy 



I am so happy, so happy am I, 
I want to shout my rapture far and wide. 
My heart is bursting and my tong-ue is tied — 
I feel like singing, oh, yet it does seem 
That my emotions are as stored-up steam. 
Unwilling to escape with what it's blest 
For fear its strength be weakened, and my breast 
Swells like the surging sea and like the sea 
I'm happier, really, than you'll ever be; 
Shall I tell you the reason why? 

My love has set the day, that's why. 

And she has promised me her heart, her all. 

Where once I feared there dwelt a doubtful wall 

'Twixt us — so comely is she, and I but one 

Of many who wooed her, and now I've won! 

And she is to be mine — mine for aye. 

To love and by her loved in turn each day. 

Let all the bells their sounding hammers chime, 

For now each morrow nearer brings the time. 

And I'm so happy, so happy am I. 



• • •• 

• ; .. • •••• 

•. •• •• •• •• i* ••'• 



••.••••••• 



•• •• • . •! • . • • •»• . 

••••••••••••■••••a* ••••••••••■•••••••••••••••••••••••*.* •a.at* *••..«* 



«• .•••.• • ••• !•• ••• 



•• •••• «••• • 



The Old Home 



The old home stands alone in the vale, 
It's snowbound and so cold, but still dear; 
The roof cracks with the frost, the winds wail. 
No smoke curls from the flues to bring cheer. 
And the voice that I hear in the gloam 
Is the thump of my heart in sad plea — 
The loved ones have all gone and the home 
Is left bare to the world and to me. 

The old life is no more and the flow 
Of the years does not serve to erase 
And forget the dead embers and low. 
When I long the old paths to retrace. 
But hark! The old love is still here 
And to crown a new home it has grown, 
For the call comes to me, soft and clear. 
From a heart to a heart of its own. 







'^W^^'" —- "Il^t-"-- ~?>>^ -'•^ tVia .T -". w i; ; c?<^" 



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• • •••••• •.. 



•••••••••• 



•••••••••••••••••••••••••••■ 






Your Mother ^vas 

my Mother, Jim 



I. 

Two brothers, loved and ever true, 
The parting- paths of life did view; 
In court they stood to bid farewell. 
And one had heard the doleful knell 
Of freedom's day for years and years, 
And one who fought against vain tears 
And knew naug-ht could the law revoke 
Braced up at last with strength and spoke: 

''Your mother was my mother, Jim, 

And thoug-h dark thoughts before me swim 

That speak the anguish of my heart, 

When hand grips hand ere you depart. 

My love for you, brother dear, 

Will shine unstained throughout each j^ear 

That for a crime, as old as Mars, 

You must now spend behind the bars. 

''I know how deep your g'rief is, Jim; 
You did the crime just for a whim. 
And never realized till too late 
That Truth at all time rules your fate. 
But warmest love can not be torn 
From bondage which of mother born 
Abides with us until death calls. 
And mightier is than prison walls. 



"Fear not, but think of mother's name 
That must bear no eternal shame; 
She hved for us, to her we owe 
A stainless life — go brother, go 
Where sins atoned are freed of w^eight, 
Like clouds leleasing from their height 
Dark burdens washed and cleansed with rain 
Till purer skies reveal their gain. 

''And back home till you are set free, 
ril wait for you and few will be 
The days when righteous ties shall meet 
In clash with worldly self-conceit. 
And fail to stand each scornful blow 
Of social pride and rank; for though 
Grief fills my heart's cup to the brim, 
Your mother was my mother, Jim." 

11. 

The other smiled and on his face 
Like waking dawn the marbled trace 
Gave way to glow of pink and life; 
And deep'ning still in turmoiled strife, 
Dark visions rose and smote his mind 
Till they, too, died and peace did wind 
Its downy vines around his heart. 
And loosed his tongue to thus impart: 

''As to a man in desert sun 

Who reels and gasps and staggers on. 

There looms to stay his waning pith 

A fertile turf and life therewith, 

Your words, beloved, have touched me so 

And tapped the rocks of crushmg woe, 



Through which came gurgling faith and main 
To quench the thirst and clear the brain. 

'T did not know that love would cling 
As vines enchained to lattice bring 
Green garps to clothe the ugly scars, 
And match their scales with silver stars. 
I did a wrong which should beget 
Deep shame — and here you love me yet I 
How true the hearts in lasting stays 
Of mother's love that scarce decays! 

'T feel the clutch of handcuffs cold, 
That through your words no terror hold; 
To prove my worth I will not fail. 
But cheerful aye the Holy Grail 
You offered me will ease the woe, 
And for you, dear, my love will grow 
And shine as sunrays in the cell — 
My tongue fails me, and so farewelL" 

III. 

''Farewell, and evermore if aught 
Does try the soul, embrace this thought, 
Snow-white and pure as love of Him, 
Your mother was my mother, Jim." 



W 



• •• • •••• 



The Sea 



I have not seen thy waste of foam, sea, 

I have not heard thy angry roar 
When thunders roll and breakers from their spree 

Are lashed to fury on thy shore. 
But, oh, the thought of thee in times of woe 

Has oft sustained me through the night 
Of storm, till I in morning's peaceful glow 

Emerged the stronger for my plight. 

I have not seen thy placid surf, sea. 

Thy wheeling gulls and flapping sails. 
Nor felt sweet zephyrs blow a kiss to me 

Of savored charm when calm prevails. 
But, oh, the thought of thee spurs me to rest, 

As mortals should from toilsome days, 
To loll and bask in whate'er we are blest, 

And gather strength for new assays. 

I hear thy music when I am alone 

And thinking, thinking of a heart 
That's mine no more, for its sad soothing tone 

Seems of my lonely soul a part. 
I fain would come and live with thee, sea. 

Forever ride thy billows gay, 
But nay, man's life is brief while thou art free 

To sing and play and toil for aye. 



•«• • • 



■••(•••••••••••••••••••••(••••I 



Lincoln County's O^vn 



All hail to thee, the living' brave, 
The sons we gave the flag to save, 
And now returning, heart to heart — 
Beloved twicefold, of us a part. 
Hail! Hail! We welcome thee 
With open arms and joyful glee. 
Home! Home! From war's surcease 
Into the dawn of blissful peace — 
Lincoln County's Own. 

Heads bowed to thee, the sleeping- brave; 
The priceless laurels on thy grave 
Are prayers from our hearts of woe, 
For pride tells us we loved thee so. 
And thoug-h in vain thy voice we hear. 
No more to feel thy lips so dear. 
Through tears we see the silver sheen 
Of praise for those beneath the green — 
Lincoln County's Own. 

Shine forth, sun, ere end of day 
Th}^ gladness bring; each arrowed ray 
Against the passing storm fling high — 
Lo! A rainbow in the sky! 
Awhile it gleams with triumph's light, 
Then fading with approach of night 
Gives way to gems of lasting hue. 
Each star a name in field of blue — 
Lincoln County's Own. 



• • •• • •••• •• ♦« 



• •-..• 



The Barred Arro^w 



On every street the arrows flame, 
Flushed with the Thirty-second's fame; 
In scarlet letters they proclaim 
The goad that drove the foe to shame. 

In divers ways the arrow brings 
A wider scope than war and kings: 
The home in town or country rings 
With welcome, pride, and joyful things. 

The father says, "This arrow long 
Foretells my son, now manly, strong, 
In learning clad to scorn the wrong, 
Will rise to live in prose and song." 

The mother's bosom swells to say, 
'The arrow shows God's gracious way 
Of speeding home from far away 
The boy for whom she prayed each day." 

Her curls dolled up, the sister weens, 
'This shaft denotes a race for queens." 
The brother says, ''It simply means 
Our Yankees spilled the kaiser's beans." 

And modest still, up speaks sweetheart: 
"This arrow straight is truly art — 
From round the world, like sunrise dart. 
It brings my lover, heart to heart." 



•••••••••• 






The Liberty Loan 



Rally! Rally! Buy a bond! 

Shell the Hun with your mon! 

Back your son with a gun! 
Cries are heard from o'er the pond: 

''Clear the way! Clear the way! 

We will stay, fight the fray, 
If you back us with a bond!" 

Men of action, loyal blood, 

Give your all, howe'er small; 
They who fall give their ALL! 

What a war and hell, God! 
Can it be we must see 
Nations free fall and flee 

From heels that are iron-shod? 

Rally! Rally! Buy a bond! 

Come on in — hear war's din! 

We must win with our kin! 
Send the word across the pond: 

''We are there! We are there! 

In our lair proud and fair 
Hangs the flag of Purchased Bond!" 



v^ 



The Parting Smile 



The time has come when we must part, 
To worlds unknown I go, sweetheart; 
A spotless name I seek to gain — 
Till then I'll come to you again. 
Let not your heart be sad, but grown 
In love still w^ait for me alone, 
And while with you I am close by, 
Give me a smile for which I sigh. 

The voice of manhood calls for me 
To draw my fortune on life's sea; 
Your love for me shall be the star 
To lead me on to goals afar. 
But ere I leave you, maiden fair. 
Give me a smile, a smile so rare. 
For through my toils a parting smile 
Means deeper love, devoid of guile. 



Let me just for a day lie in meadows green. 

Alone and away from my clan — 
Dreaming and lolling and drifting with lazy clouds 
As they trail o'erhead like sails in a sea of blue — 

At peace with God and at peace with man! 



••••••••••■•••••••••••••••••a 



•%.•• \y V..':::: •..•;•:% •; 



The World of Silence 



If to the sound of things my ears are closed, 
And to me music's soulful charm is lost, 
I shall not like the moaning- breezes be, 
But thank my stars that I have eyes to see. 

If mother's songs are not for me to hear 
And lull to sleep each little childish fear, 
Snug in her arms I shall no dread surmise, 
But watch the lovelight deepen in her eyes. 

If baby's crooning beckons sweet and low 
To hearts that stir and with pure richness flow. 
The tiny clutch of chubby fingers white 
Upon my own shall give me rare delight. 

If men of note from pulpits sway the crowd. 

And I can grasp no word, however loud, 

I can beseat myself with books to read 

And live with those who have sown wisdom's seed. 

If filled with fluent thoughts I cannot face 
And bring from grateful throngs their silver praise, 
I can at least command the trenchant pen, 
And stir the thousands from my little den. 

Oh, there are things one should be grateful for, 
E'en though he does his grievous plight deplore; 
The heart that laughs to scorn all kinds of woe 
Shall see no parting day or sunset glow. 



• • •••••••••• • • 

•• • • •• 









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Ihe Three ^ ise Men 



On snowy camels three wise men afar 
O'er desert stretches journey long ago, 
Where to the East in brilliant hue aglow 

They saw with shrewd forethought the guiding star 

That led them on and on, and naught did mar 

The patience of them whose beards white as snow 
Had grown in faith, till in the manger low 

They found that which they came to seek so far. 

We, too, are as the three wise men of old, 

When o'er life's path an aim we seek to gain. 

The star we follow will from us withhold 

Scarce of the best if to that goal with main 

We pin our faith and in our efforts mold 
A patience that does not test us in vain. 






... : ..; •• • 



Friendship 



The hour was dark and Hfe soemed naught, 
Misfortune came to me unsought, 
And friendless I knew not where to go. 
Till in a home I saw aglow 
The fires of warmth and kindness true; 
I knocked for then childlike I knew 
That such a home was built of cheers 
To soothe the pain and dry the tears: 
The walls outside had vines thereon 
Of love that knows no setting sun. 
And worn and torn by grief I prayed 
That here at last a stranger strayed 
Could find kind hearts at least a gain 
Where golden dreams had been in vain. 

The door oped; lo, a maiden fair! 

All smiles was she as she stood there — 

Rosecheeked, with lips that knew no shame. 

So sweet and pure as though she came 

Out from the land where lilies bloom 

And weave love through the garden's loom. 

She was the poet's queen of May, 

A girl to crown each tuneful lay. 

And like the stars of summer skies 

In sparkling laughtei* shone her eyes. 

Entranced, I felt the balm of peace 

Enlight my heart the pain to ease. 

And slowly through the dawning gleam 

Once more I saw Sir Launfal's dream. 



Ah then, 'twas she who bade me in, 

And warmed my heart with smiies that win, 

And gave me food and drink and rest 

And saw to it that I felt my best 

Ere I left; high above that night 

The stars ne'er seemed so gay and bright 

To eyes that, blurred with thankful tears. 

Saw what they had not seen lor years: 

The rainbow's dip of one's wild dream 

Does not exist along life's stream. 

But glimmers in the heart of friend, 

And brighter grows as days extend, 

And like the Guiding Star of old 

At last reveals love's pot of gold. 



Lost 



Hours ago in my heart it held sway: 
That rare joy was as keen as each ray 
Of the sun on green hillsides at dawn, 
But now — it is gone! It is gone! 
And I hunt! I hunt! I hunt! 
Where, oh, where can it be? 

Love once came to my heart and it sang 
Of deep seas on whose reef the surf rang. 
Of gay sails by sweet zephyrs blown. 
But now — it is flown! It is flown! 
And I hunt! I hunt! I hunt! 
Where, oh, where can it be? 



••••••••••••••••••••••••••••t« 






The Call of the Hill 



Come one and all, let us away — 
For us the hills are calling- 
With welcome sweet, enthralling-; 

Done are the toils of yesterday. 
So let us from endeavors 
Hie to the fresh'ning rivers 

And build anew our earthly clay. 

Come one and all, let us away 

From smoke and filth and buildings 
Out into God's blue g-ilding-s, 

And there aside our burdens lay. 
Are you to work so fettered 
That to be newly bettered 

In life to you is strange assay? 

Come one and all, the hills today 
Are calling, calling cleai'er, 
And hearts that list are nearer 

To God, for, man, the hilL^ hold sway 
The sceptre of youth-giving. 
Of strength and sturdy living. 

That will extend your life's pathway. 










• •9* ••••••••«! •••••••••••• . 



In Northern Wi 



isconsm 



My heart's gone to the hills with a bound 
When the arbutus sweeten the air, 

And I hear the wild call of the stream. 
I hunt, and the woodlands resound 

With the flight of the deer from its lair. 
But I chase till fulfilled is my dream. 

The wild aisles with rare spices enfold 

And release from dark burdens' restraint 
The heart's freedom wherever I roam. 
I come, and I go, and behold 

Scenes serene that ne'er artist could paint 
In the north of Wisconsin, my home. 



Birthday 



Thy birthday, love, and still young and gay, 
Rosecheeked and in the bloom of May! 
Thy eyes speak of love entrancing sweet, 
And thy scarlet lips, I fain would repeat. 
Ne'er looked so tempting and at their best, . 
With honey dripping from kisses pressed. 
love, I would that I had the power 
To paint thee like a deep-hued fragrant flower. 
But nay, none to match thy beauty could try, 
For this day thou art mistress of earth and sky. 






'••««•«••••••••••! 



»••*•••••« 



Sprin; 



Spring is here, love, gentle spring is here, 
But in vain thy kindly voice I hear; 
Spring has come, love, and my quivering tongue 
Yearns to speak the vows that dormant hung 
Through forsaken hopes and useless woe, 
When hearts once gay felt the cold winds blow- 
Winds of envy, ill winds, stinging sharp. 
That so chilled and dulled love's vibrant harp. 
Bare and dark as trees, devoid of life. 
Aching hearts could find in our long strife 
Naught of healing solace, for it seems 
Deathless love somewhere, somehow still gleams. 

Trees are budding, love, and birds are here; 
From green-crested hills the calling clear 
Comes of love newborn, of mad'ning streams, 
And the song they sing with laughter teems. 
All the world is buoyant, young and gay. 
And my longing heart is borne away 
To the scenes of mem'ry's sweet refrain 
Where in yesteryear we knew no pain. 
Love, let us forget the heart-pierced thorn, 
And with spring-like youth our hearts adorn; 
Come, I wait for thee, dear one, to shine 
Forth the smile of hope forever mine. 



Four Tliin«^s 



If I were to pick the thing I love 
As foremost in my heart, 

I'd swear to all the stars above 
That thing is your dear heart. 

If I were to tell my second guess, 
It's for the hours I spend 

With you to come again and bless 
The love that knows no end. 

If I were frank with my next say. 
My tongue would ask but this: 

That you and I be true for aye — 
The surest road to bliss. 

And lastly, my wish would fain impart 
What makes my life worth while; 

It sweetens all the dreams of heart — 
The sunshine of your smile. 



And what is so rare as a day in June? 

Sang the poet of long ago; 

And I would say: 

And what is so sweet as hearts beating in tune 

To the love that binds them so 

On that rare day? 



••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 



V V •••" • •• • • 



Blueberries 



Bent with their weight in clusters bUie, 
Like morsels from the sky, 
On downy moss they lie; 
With marshy loam and heaven's dew, 
The berries garp their wealth and strew 
Afar the truth for man to view. 
Where evergreens link blue with blue, 
That God with us is nigh. 

The blue above, the blue below, 

And man between is free 

To live as life should be. 
We are but mortals and must grow 
In body that by toiling so 
For food, e'en if by bending low. 
The soul to sweeter rest will go 

In blue eternity. 



E 



venm' 



When shadows o'er the meadows creep. 

Gathering deep; 
When violets close their petals blue, 

Star-kissed with dew. 
And worn I stand on sunset's hill. 

Lonely and still. 
My thoughts are like ships on the seajp 

Drifting to thee. 



•••••••••••••••■••••••••••••••« •*,* *•»,••* *•» «•* 



The Prairie River 



God be with thee, river free, 
And stay the axman's hand; 

From wanton deeds of selfish greeds 
Spare thee thy maples grand. 

In gardens fair, of fragrance rare. 
Thy priceless beauty lies — 

By nature reared, by man endeared 
Whose love for God ne'er dies. 

Thy trees I love, thy skies above, 
Thy boulders, weird and gray, 

That blithely lift the foaming swift 
Where rainbows leap and play. 

Sweet thoughts divine, river mine, 
Are woven in thy stream: 

That toiling still, o'er rock and hill, 
Brings fortune to one's dream. 

God be the might by which thy flight 
E'ermore may court the sea; 

With beauty rife long be thy life — 
Unceasing, laughing, free. 



v^ 



►noAv 



Snow, snow, fall gently, feathery snow. 
Rest me in sleep with thy winter's blanket and low 
To earth a promise of watchfulness tenderly blow; 
My heart's aweary of toilsome strife and woe. 

Long have I labored through summer's day and deep 
Beneath thy spread let me rest the reward to reap, 
Till the dawn of wakeful spring through my soul does creep, 
And I infused with buoyancy rise from my sleep. 

Snow, snow, fall gently, feathery snow, 

My heart's aweary of toilsome strife and woe. 




015 909 005 A v^ 



